Doctorante : Dana Schurmans
Co-promoteurs : Patricia Vendramin (UCL), Leo Van Audenhove (VUB)
This PhD is designed to give voice to the disadvantaged youth communities to articulate what digital inclusion stands for. Our thesis closes the gap in research about theorising digital inequalities by analysing the narrative of digital inequalities from the perspective of youth, between 15 and 26 years old, issued from poor Brussels neighbourhoods. We argue that what is being said on digital inclusion is essential to build a new, multi-voiced realty of inclusive digital societies. A new narrative for digital inclusion is required because stories or narratives shape who and what we believe ourselves to be. Rethinking the current digital inclusion discourse is rethinking our identities, our relation to ourselves and to others. It is the possibility to propose an alternative world view and develop a positive societal project in which each voice is equal regardless of origin, age, sex, believe or socio-economic position.
Building upon an extensive literature review of digital inequalities amongst disadvantaged youth communities and three qualitative studies that combines a qualitative explorative study, a longitudinal diary study and a narratives of life practices studies, this research project takes into account the evolving social realities of the disadvantaged youth communities. Furthermore, this thesis highlights that digital inclusion is not solely about the access, skills and use, but also about common values of inclusion, integration and equality in a digitalised world. It thereby contributes both empirically and theoretically to the fundamental understanding of causes and consequences of digital inequalities of disadvantaged youth communities by proposing a critical socio-cultural interpretation of digital inequalities.